County · Tennessee
Rhea County, Tennessee
Rhea County, Tennessee. Rhea County had 34,844 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.8% since 2020, slower than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 47143.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
34,844
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 32,870 · ACS 2020-2024: 33,992
Median household income
$55,033
±$2,802 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$206,000
±$12,728 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$839
±$46 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Rhea County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 32,870 residents in Rhea County. The Census Bureau estimates 34,844 for July 1, 2025, up 4.8% since 2020, slower than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 33,992 over 315 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rhea County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 33,992 | 7,066,383 | +1,273 |
| Households | 13,475±364 | 2,824,277 | +1,298 |
| Average household size | 2.47±0.07 | 2.45 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 15,451±50 | 3,143,670 | +778 |
Rhea County's population since 2000
From 28,400 in 2000 to 34,844 in 2025: up 22.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Rhea County?
Rhea County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Dayton with 7,819 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Dayton | 7,065 | $49,719 |
|---|---|---|
| Spring City | 1,949 | $38,975 |
| Graysville | 1,471 | $40,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rhea County?
The median resident of Rhea County is 42.0 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 19.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.3%. 2.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rhea County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0±0.9 | 38.9 | +3.1 |
| Under 18 years | 21.2%±0.4 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.8%±0.4 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.3% | 7.4% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.2%±1.0 pts | 71.0% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 15.4% | −0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.2%±1.1 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.7%±0.8 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.7%±1.3 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.2%±1.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 19.6%±1.8 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.9%±2.3 pts | 10.0% | +3.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.3%±2.6 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.6%±2.6 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9%±1.4 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rhea County earn?
Half of Rhea County's 13,475 households earn less than $55,033 a year (±$2,802), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 it was $51,943 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rhea County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,033±$2,802 | $69,595 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $75,267±$7,829 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,273±$3,025 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.9%±2.5 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.5%±5.3 pts | 18.8% | −10.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.0%±2.7 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.7%±2.5 pts | 89.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rhea County?
Owners occupy 71.5% of Rhea County's occupied homes and renters 28.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $206,000 by its owner (±$12,728). The median renter pays $839 a month including utilities, and 36.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rhea County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $206,000±$12,728 | $286,700 | +$55,117 |
| Median gross rent | $839±$46 | $1,189 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.6%±8.1 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,326±$92 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.5%±2.7 pts | 66.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,451±50 | 3,143,670 | +778 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.7%±2.5 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.4%±3.3 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.1%±2.2 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.8%±1.8 pts | 5.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rhea County building?
Builders took permits for 151 new housing units across Rhea County in 2025 (143 single-family), 4.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rhea County get to work?
79.5% of Rhea County's workers drive alone and 6.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.
| Measure | Rhea County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.7%±3.1 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8%±2.1 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5%±3.3 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.0%±2.9 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.5%±2.0 pts | 12.9% | +3.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.5 min±2.9 | 25.7 min | +6.3 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Rhea County's census tracts?
Rhea County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $45,800 (Tract 9754.01) to $64,028 (Tract 9754.02).
| Tract 975047143975000 | 5,127±609 | $53,856 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 975147143975100 | 5,575±666 | $63,150 |
| Tract 975247143975200 | 6,121±581 | $58,250 |
| Tract 975347143975300 | 6,344±702 | $57,898 |
| Tract 9754.0147143975401 | 7,478±601 | $45,800 |
| Tract 9754.0247143975402 | 3,347±405 | $64,028 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rhea County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 45th of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 56th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 33rd of 95 |
| Median household income | 62nd of 95 |
| Median home value | 47th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 46th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 46th of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 46th of 95 |
| Median age | 53rd of 95 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rhea County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.